Background:
The Government of Ghana led by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), in collaboration with the World Bank and USAID is currently preparing the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP). The project is being approached in two phases, the Project Preparation phase for which advance funding has already been received and contracts for preparatory activities of the project either ongoing or in the procurement process; and the main project phase which has recently been negotiated and likely to be effective in the course of the year. This consultancy service covers activities in both phases.

The proposed project will improve the investment climate for agri-business and establish inclusive PPPs aimed at increasing on-farm productivity and value addition in selecteed value chains. The project will have four components: (i) strengthening investment promotion infrastructure and facilitating secure access to land; (ii) securing PPPs and small-holder linkages in the Accra Plains; (iii) securing PPPs and small-holder linkages in the area under the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA); and (iv) Project Management and Monitoring & Evaluation.

The broad activities under each Component are confirmed as the following:

Component 1: Strengthening investment promotion infrastructure, facilitating secure access to land. This component will promote a secure investment climate that clarifies and strengthens the rights and obligations of investors, government and affected communities, and support an improved mechanism for facilitating access to land by reducing the search costs to potential investors through an expansion of a database of land suitable and available for investors and by building on nascent mechanisms for actively matching potential investors with suitable land owners.

Component 2: Securing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and smallholder linkages in the Accra Plains. This component will involve the identification and realization of private investments in the agricultural value chain through irrigation-based PPPs in the Accra Plains. This component will support the first transaction of Ghana's PPP agenda (which extends beyond agriculture) and will draw on support to the MoFEP's PPP Unit. It will support all necessary tasks of 'taking the PPP to market' including the provision of any viability gap financing. It will also strengthen community benefit sharing mechanisms by directly supporting smallholder linkages through out-grower schemes and contract farming arrangements as well as other improved arrangements for benefit sharing through corporate social responsibility and revenue management at the local level.

Component 3: Security PPPs and smallholder linkages in the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) region. This component will involve the identification and realization of private investments in the agricultural value chain through PPPs. Investors could be local or international and would cover both production and processing activities as well as ancillary businesses. It will also strengthen community sharing mechanisms by directly supporting smallholder linkages through out-grower schemes and contract farming arrangements as well as other improved arrangement for benefit sharing through corporate social responsibility and revenue management at the local level.

Component 4: Project Management and Monitoring & Evaluation. This component would finance the operational costs of project management including monitoring and evaluation activities. It would also include necessary training and capacity building for the staff.

The Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer would be based at the Programme Implementation (PIU), Accra and be responsible for overseeing all rural infrastructure developments including roads, irrigation, flood recessions and warehousing facilities under the Programme. He/she will report directly to the Project Co-ordinator.

Duties:
Specific responsibilities of the Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer will include but not limited to the following:

Under the administrative supervision of the Project Co-ordinator, and working in collaboration with other implementing partners, the Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer will:

•  Oversee the implementation of the Infrastructure Component of the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project including Feeder Roads and farm tracks, irrigation Schemes, Flood Recession Schemes and Warehouses; and Identify and validate the rural infrastructure to be developed in collaboration with the beneficiaries, government and other relevant agencies;
•  Prepare annual workplan and budget; and assist the Project Procurement Specialist to prepare procurement plans for the rural infrastructure development component of the Programme;
•  Assist with the recruitment of consultants for the technical feasibility studies, infrastructure designs and construction supervision of the rural infrastructure using World Bank Procurement Rules and Procedures;
•  Provide support for irrigation schemes development;
•  Supervise and monitor construction of the rural infrastructure including feeder roads and farm trucks,; irrigation schemes, flood recession schemes and warehousing facilities;
•  Organise training in the operation and sustainable management of the facilities developed in collaboration with relevant government agencies;
•  Work in collaboration with the Programme Environment Specialist and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in ensuring environmental and social safeguards compliance;
•  Prepare and submit quarterly progress report on the implementation of the Component 2 & 3 of the GCAP;
•  Perform other duties requested by the Project Co-ordinator

Remuneration: Competitive Salary
Job Duration: Two years renewable

Qualification Required & Experience

•  At least Master's degree or equivalent in Irrigation Engineering/Agricultural Engineering/Civil Engineering or related discipline with a specialisation in rural infrastructure;
•  Membership of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE)
•  Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in project management and supervision and in rural infrastructure development (including rural roads, water supply/irrigation and building infrastructure) in the agricultural and/or rural sectors, with good appreciation of procurement principles and procedures;
•  Work experience in donor funded project as a Project Engineer or in a consulting firm;
•  Good mastery of standard computer applications (Microsoft Office Suite)
•  Experience as on-site works supervision will be an advantage;
•  Excellent writing and presentation skills;
•  Willingness and ability to work under minimum guidance; and
•  Willingness to work extra hours and sometimes on weekends

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Qualified and interested applicant should send application letters with copies of curriculum vitae, certificates and other relevant documentation to:

The Chief Director
Ministry Of Food And Agriculture
P.O.Box M 37
Accra, Ghana

For further information please contact:

The Project Coordinator
Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP)
Ministry Of Food And Agriculture (MOFA)
P.O.Box MB. 37
Accra

Email: alabibortey@gmail.com   Tel: +233-20-0198921

Closing Date: 30 May, 2013

Applicants are to include direct contacts (reliable telephone, fax numbers and email address) in their applications in order to facilitate early and easy contact. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.